Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a detector, direction finder, receiver, and range finder. The detector is operable to detect a target, and the direction finder is operable to determine a first direction to the target from the apparatus. The receiver is operable to receive a second direction to the target from a remote object, and the range finder is operable to determine from the first and second directions a range of the target from the apparatus. For example, the apparatus may be a first fighter jet, and the remote object may be a second fighter jet. By using directional information from both the first and second jets, a computer system onboard the first jet may compute a range to the target from the first jet more quickly and more accurately than by using directional information from only the first jet.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth planar four port MMIC transformer is provided by input diplexers which divide up the incoming signal into a high band and a low band, with the resulting signals coupled to high band and low band four port transformers implemented in one embodiment using spiral inductors and coupled lines, the outputs of which are combined using two output diplexers to provide a decade bandwidth transformer.

Abstract: A microradio is provided with a hysteretic switch to permit an optimum range increasing charging cycle, with the charging cycle being long relative to the transmit cycle. Secondly, an ensemble of microradios permits an n2 power enhancement to increase range with coherent operation. Various multi-frequency techniques are used both for parasitic powering and to isolate powering and transmit cycles. Applications for microradios and specifically for ensembles of microradios include authentication, tracking, fluid flow sensing, identification, terrain surveillance including crop health sensing and detection of improvised explosive devices, biohazard and containment breach detection, and biomedical applications including the use of microradios attached to molecular tags to destroy tagged cells when the microradios are activated. Microradio deployment includes the use of paints or other coatings containing microradios, greases and aerosols.

Abstract: A telescope design having an integrated baffle is disclosed herein. The integrated baffle is configured as both a baffle and a mirror support. The integrated baffle can be shaped to the F-cone between the primary and secondary mirrors of a given telescope design. The baffle design can be adjusted to minimize or otherwise reduce the total obscuration of the baffle to improve the optical throughput. The interior facing surfaces of the integrated baffle can be configured with corner reflectors, so that the detector views itself, instead of the baffle.

Abstract: A broadband high power amplifier architecture is disclosed. One example configuration includes a first plurality of distributed amplification cells connected in a first string, wherein a conductive trace operatively coupling outputs of the first string cells is a stepped structure, such that the associated inductance successively decreases from a first cell to a last cell of the first string. The amplifier further includes a second plurality of distributed amplification cells connected in a second string, wherein a conductive trace operatively coupling outputs of the second string cells is a stepped structure, such that the associated inductance successively decreases from a first cell to a last cell of the second string. A combiner combines output signals of the first and second strings. Additional strings and/or stages can be provided, and the degree of combining will depend, for example, on factors such as the application and desired output power.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of carbon based electrical components is herein presented. In the method a wafer substrate is provided upon which a first layer of carbon based semiconductor is deposited. The first layer of carbon based semiconductor is introduced to a first doping agent precursor and the first doping agent precursor and first layer of carbon based semiconductor are irradiated with light having a wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum thereby selectively doping areas of the first layer of carbon based semiconductor.

Abstract: A system and method for communication that could be used in an identification friend or foe system. The method comprises generating a first message by a processor and controlling a beam steerer to deflect transmitted waves toward a first angle. The method further comprises transmitting the first message through an antenna in communication with the beam steerer toward the spatial angle. The method further comprises controlling the beam steerer to deflect waves received from the spatial angle. The method further comprises receiving a responsive wave at the antenna through the beam steerer at the spatial angle, the responsive wave including a second message responsive to the first message.

Abstract: Real and simulated (virtual) networks are interfaced with one another for carrying out hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing and evaluations. A simulated network is modeled at a workstation by running a network simulation or discrete event modeling tool on the workstation. A virtual gateway node is defined in the simulated network, and the gateway node is linked with a network adapter on the workstation. An external real network operating with Internet protocol (IP) is also linked with the adapter. The adapter and the gateway node are configured to (i) translate simulated data packets sent from nodes of the simulated network and designated for the real network, into IP data packets for routing or processing by the real network, and (ii) translate IP data packets sent from nodes of the real network and designated for the simulated network, into simulated data packets for muting or processing by the simulated network.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimizing power consumption in electronic devices that operate on battery-based or scavenged power. The power scavenged or otherwise supplied by such devices may therefore last longer, allowing longer performance on a given charge (whether sourced from scavenged power, battery power, or a combination thereof). An energy distribution circuit can be used in conjunction with a hysteretic switch, wherein the hysteretic switch can be used to switch an energy storage element in-circuit (so that it can provide charge to sub-circuitry or components) when the charge stored on that element exceeds a given charge threshold; otherwise, the hysteretic switch presents as a high resistance or open circuit when the charge stored on the energy storage element drops below a lower recharge threshold. The energy distribution circuit can be configured for adaptively providing different discharge rates for different loads.

Abstract: Stolen or lost explosives are detected by fixing micro RF transmitters in the form of RFID tags to the explosive packaging or embedding them in the explosive material itself. Moreover, the subject microradio transponders may be contained in an adhesive binder or slurry. The identity of the explosive, its place of manufacture and ownership is detectable by RFID tag interrogators strategically located along commonly used roads or railways in which the RFID tags scavenge energy from interrogation beams, with the RFID tags indicating the identity of the explosive and its origin.

Abstract: In a method for removing moisture from an optical system at high altitude, the improvement comprises using the difference in flow resistance between the desiccant path and the optical cavity path to enable airflow through the desiccant unit and not through the optical path.

Abstract: A system and method are provided in which a first chip in a stacked multi-chip module configuration is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to a first portion of a partitioned interposer unit. Planar partitions of the interposer are physically bonded via multiple solder “bumps,” which possess high tensile strength but low resistance to horizontal shear force or torque. A second chip is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to the second portion of the partitioned interposer. The chips may thus be separated by horizontally and oppositely shearing or twisting the first and second portions of the partitioned interposer away from one another.

Abstract: An X-band, crossed dipole turnstile antenna configured to be omni-directional with horizontal polarization is disclosed. It comprises a set of two dipole antennas aligned at right angles to each other attached to a common 50 ohm coaxial feedpoint and fed 90 degrees out-of-phase. The antenna pattern is nearly omnidirectional in the horizontal plane. The antenna can be used generally in microwave communications including Digital Radio Frequency Tags (DRaFTs) communicating with airborne and satellite platforms.

Abstract: A centroiding method is provided for an optical tracking system including a laser used for countermeasuring purposes in which a pencil thin laser beam is accurately positioned onto a target through the use of centroiding techniques for ascertaining the position not only of the target but also the laser beam, with the centroiding techniques resulting in a sub-pixel level resolution. The sub-pixel resolution permits utilization of smaller cost-effective focal plane arrays by giving the small focal plane array a resolution associated with much larger focal plane arrays.

Abstract: A system and method for an aircraft (10) that provides an IR decoy (12) for an incoming missile (18) to track instead of an engine (14) of the aircraft (10) is disclosed. The IR decoy (12) is deployed during or just after take off, and prior to landing to provide a signature (16) for any incoming missile (18). The IR decoy (12) provides a heat source (16) that has a higher radiant intensity than the hottest heat source on the aircraft (10), which is typically the engine (14), thereby providing a more attractive heat source for the missile (18). In another embodiment, a warning system (20) for an aircraft (10) detects an incoming missile (18), and deploys IR decoy (12) and creates an engine mask (22) by injecting an additive into the exhaust stream of the engine (14), thereby obscuring the radiation emanating from the engine (14).

Abstract: A concentric ring, log-periodic slot antenna used for direction finding is disclosed. There are a number of continuous, circular slots nested inside of each other. A cover over the slots cavities has excitation plates and conductors thereon. There are four excitation plates spaced ninety degrees apart over each circular slot, and the excitation plates of all slots in each ninety degree sector are electrically interconnected. A conductor from the interconnected excitation plates in each of the four sectors conducts received signals to a Butler matrix which processes the signals and provides Mode 0, Mode +1, Mode ?1, and Mode ? outputs. These Mode outputs are used to provide direction finding information for DF signal sorting, and they may be used to provide radio frequency voltages to other equipment to provide accurate DF (CIDF) and CIGL transmitter geo-location information.

Abstract: A method of providing a defense against a shaped charge uses an outer and an inner armor layer provided with a medial space between these outer and inner armor layers. One or more defensive shaped charges are positioned in the medial space. If the outer armor layer is attacked by ordnance having an offensive shaped charge, one or more of the defensive shaped charges positioned in the medial space is detonated so as to degrade the effectiveness of the offensive shaped charge and prevent penetration of the inner armor layer.

Abstract: A tuning control system and associated method is provided for continuously and automatically tuning a lobed amplitude slope matching filter (ASMF) to a band center of an interfering signal to provide improved rejection of an interfering signal coupled from a transmission antenna into a local receive antenna in the presence of local multi-path, thereby Providing improved adaptive control loop performance. The tuning control system is provided as an element of an adaptive control loop.

Abstract: An X, Ku, and K-band omni-directional antenna with dielectric loading is disclosed. It comprises a conductor with a loading dielectric resonator and a ground plane. Broad frequency coverage from 7.5 to 26 GHz includes uniform azimuthal coverage from +10 to +70 degrees. The antenna can be used generally in microwave communications including Digital Radio Frequency Tags (DRaFTs) communicating with airborne and satellite platforms.

Abstract: An etched grooved GaN-based permeable-base transistor structure is disclosed, along with a method for fabrication of same.